STTR PHASE I: Methods for Continuous Synthesis of Carbon Nanostructured Materials

这个小型企业技术转移（STTR）一期项目将开发新的方法，用于连续合成和纯化重要的碳基纳米结构材料，包括富勒烯和内质金属富勒烯。由于其独特的性质，包括富勒烯和纳米管在内的结构碳纳米材料已经成为从化学延伸到物理和材料科学的一个大研究领域。由于目前的合成方法对于更奇特和革命性的纳米材料的典型收率低于0.5%，因此在提高这些材料的制造收率方面付出了巨大的努力。低产量，加上目前的高制造成本，限制了这些重要新材料的发展和商业化。Luna Innovations将基于与大学研究合作伙伴共同研究的最新进展，开发连续合成和纯化富勒烯和内源性金属富勒烯的新方法。这种方法不仅会增加这些关键纳米材料的数量，而且还会减少制造成本和相关有害溶剂材料的使用。预计这些碳纳米结构的应用将彻底改变许多技术领域，包括光通信、高强度复合材料、用于微电子和空间应用的热定制结构、量子计算、先进的医疗诊断和治疗等。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Project will develop new methods for continuous synthesis and purification of important carbon-based nanostructured materials, including fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes. Due to their unique properties, structured carbon nanomaterials including fullerenes and nanotubes have become a large field of research that extends from chemistry, to physics and materials science. Intense effort is directed in increasing the fabrication yield of these materials, since current synthesis methods have typical yields of less than 0.5% for the more exotic and revolutionary nanomaterials. Low yields, coupled with the current high cost of fabrication, has limited the development and commercialization of these important new materials. Luna Innovations will develop new methods for continuous synthesis and purification of fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes based on recent advancements developed through joint research with our university research partners. This approach will not only increase the quantity of these critical nanomaterials, but will in addition reduce manufacturing costs and usage of associated hazardous solvent materials.Applications of these carbon nanostructures are predicted to revolutionize many areas of technology, including optical communications, high-strength composites, thermally-tailored structures for microelectronic and space applications, quantum computing, advanced medical diagnostics and treatments, and others.